Injuries from accidents are far more common than most people think, and many injured victims are left with debts they cannot afford and injuries that take time to heal. You should not face such burdens because of someone else’s negligence. Call a personal injury lawyer for help now.
You can begin your lawsuit by hiring a lawyer, gathering evidence and information, and filing a formal complaint. Once the defendant is notified of the complaint and files an answer, the lawsuit officially begins. The evidence we include in the initial complaint will likely not be all our evidence. We should be able to obtain more information within the defendant’s control during the discovery phase. This often includes depositions and interrogatories of witnesses and the opposing party.
Request a free initial case evaluation from our personal injury lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.
How Do You Sue for Personal Injuries?
Beginning your lawsuit may feel somewhat overwhelming. There are a lot of legal hurdles to clear before your lawsuit begins, and you need help from an experienced attorney.
Call a Lawyer
It is not a good idea to try to handle your lawsuit alone. People sometimes worry that legal fees may be too expensive, or they underestimate just how complex a lawsuit can be. Rest assured, a lawsuit is a highly complex judicial process that requires trained legal professionals who can give you sound advice at every step.
Draft a Formal Legal Complaint
Lawsuits begin with a formal legal complaint. The complaint is a lengthy document that must contain very specific information about the parties involved in the accident, how the accident occurred, your injuries and damages, and evidence of your claims.
Including evidence in the initial complaint is crucial, although we do not have to provide sufficient evidence to meet our burden of proof. We must provide enough evidence to show that you have a valid cause of legal action. More evidence may be obtained later during the discovery phase.
Serve Notice to the Defendant
Once we file the complaint, our personal injury attorneys will serve the defendant with notice of the complaint. Plaintiffs are legally required to notify defendants of lawsuits immediately. If you do not serve notice in accordance with strict legal procedures, the entire case may be thrown out.
How Do You Gather Evidence for a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Colesville, MD?
Evidence is notoriously difficult to obtain. While evidence is unique in each case, some evidence tends to come up across many personal injury cases, and they may be good places to start.
Photos of the Accident
It is very common for injured victims to take photos of an accident scene while waiting for help. These photos may be used as evidence in an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Most cell phones today have high-quality cameras, and you can easily snap quick pictures that may preserve important details of the accident.
Video Footage
Video footage may also provide extremely powerful evidence. Videos of the accident as it happened may show not only how it happened but also who was involved and who might be responsible.
Security cameras are a great source of such footage. We can try to find security cameras around the accident site, such as at nearby homes or businesses.
Depositions
A significant part of obtaining evidence is depositions. These are out-of-court question-and-answer sessions with various people connected to the case. We may depose witnesses, including the defendant. Just remember, the defendants may also depose witnesses, and you.
Depositions are often used to determine who knows what information and whether it is useful. We may need to depose multiple witnesses before deciding whom to call in court.
Interrogatories
Another form of gathering information during the discovery process is through interrogatories. Like depositions, interrogatories involve an extensive series of questions, but they do not have to be answered in person. Interrogatories may be written and answered in writing.
Unlike depositions, you may serve interrogatories only to people directly involved in the lawsuit. Outside witnesses must be deposed instead.
Discovery Phase
Interrogatories and depositions are not the only ways we can gather evidence during the discovery phase. If we believe that the defendant has evidence under their control that is relevant to the case, we may request that they turn it over to us during this phase. If they refuse, we may get the court to compel discovery. Similarly, the defendant may request evidence from us, and we must comply.
What Damages Should You Claim in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
You may claim a wide variety of damages if you have evidence to back up your claims. Below are some examples of damages common in personal injury cases.
Medical Expenses
Personal injury cases must involve bodily harm, which almost always leads to big medical bills. The more serious your injuries are, the higher your medical bills may be.
If your injuries are especially severe, you may require medical care lasting beyond the end of your lawsuit. In that case, you can claim the cost of future medical bills.
Property Damage
When accidents happen, people are not the only ones who get hurt. Your property might also take a hit. For example, after a car crash, you may claim damage to your vehicle. You can also claim the Value of any damaged or destroyed personal items, like cell phones, watches, or jewelry.
Lost Earnings and Income
Many people must step away from their jobs to recover from personal injuries. In the meantime, you may lose significant wages when you need them most. You can claim the value of your lost income, including lost future income, as part of your damages.
Pain and Suffering
Not all damages are directly related to money. Your physical pain, emotional distress, mental trauma, suffering, humiliation, and other painful person experiences may be worth significant compensation.
FAQs About Personal Injury Claims in Colesville, MD
How Do You Know if You Have a Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injury claims require that plaintiffs have bodily injuries. If you were in an accident but did not experience any physical injury, you might have a different kind of claim that you should discuss with your attorney.
Are Personal Injury Claims Worth a Lot of Money?
Sometimes, yes. Personal injury cases vary in how much they are worth, but some severe cases may be worth a significant sum. It is not unheard of for plaintiffs to claim six figures in damages, sometimes more.
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
In Maryland, you have only 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and the clock starts counting down on the day the accident occurs. If you cannot file the case within this time, you may be barred from ever filing it.
What Kind of Claims Come Up in Personal Injury Cases?
Most personal injury cases involve unintentional accidents. Common examples include car accidents, slip and falls, workplace accidents, accidents at amusement parks, and more.
Ask Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Colesville, MD for Legal Help
Request a free initial case evaluation from our personal injury lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.